BRUCELLOSIS

BRUCELLOSIS AMONG CLINICALLY SUSPECTED PATIENTS ATTENDING A GENERAL HOSPITAL IN MAJMAAH SAUDI ARABIA

Authors

  • Ali Faraz College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Syed Yousaf Kazmi College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Muhammad Asad Farhan College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Usama Bin Ghaffar College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Sajid Hussain College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Abdul Irfan College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.
  • Khaja Mohinuddin Salar BM College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/18.5139

Keywords:

Human Brucellosis, Seroprevalence

Abstract

Background: Human brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease transmitted from domesticated animals to humans. It remains a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia where 7% of the population still maintains a nomadic life style with domestication of animals. Objectives: This study aims to discover the prevalence of brucellosis and Brucella among patients attending a district government hospital in Majmaah, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Period: 2 years (from 1st February 2016 to 31st January 2018). Design: Cross sectional descriptive. Settings: King Khalid Hospital, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. Materials (Patients) & Methods: Total 1098 serum samples from the patients with clinical suspicion of brucellosis were screened with rapid slide agglutination test (crescent diagnostics Jeddah) for Brucella antibodies and later confirmed by Serum Tube Agglutination Test. Main Outcome Measures: The result of our study showed that the prevalence of brucellosis among patients attending our study is 9.1%. Results: 100 individuals were found to be seropositive with titers ≥1:160. The result of our study showed that the prevalence of brucellosis among patients attending our study is 9.1%The Majority of the patients presented to the medical OPD and orthopedic unit of the hospital. The prevalence of disease in males was found to be higher as compared to females in the current studied group. The age group 21- 40 years, was found to be far more susceptible to this infection. Majority presented with fever and musculoskeletal complaints. The total seroprevalence rate calculated for the patients attending our hospital is 26.50%. Conclusion: Frequent serological surveillance should be carried out in areas that are endemic. Screening of risk groups, imported animals and household members of active brucellosis must be undertaken. This is a crucial epidemiological move allowing for timely diagnosis and control of disease. Limitations: Our prevalence rate represents a specific segment of the population (i.e., those attending the hospital) and not the
general population. 

Author Biographies

Ali Faraz, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

FCPS (Microbiology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology

Syed Yousaf Kazmi, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

FCPS (Microbiology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology

Muhammad Asad Farhan, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

FCPS (Pediatrics)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics

Usama Bin Ghaffar, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

MBBS, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Forensic Medicine

Sajid Hussain, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

MBBS, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology

Abdul Irfan, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

M.Sc (Computer Sciences)
Lecturer
Department of Medical Education

Khaja Mohinuddin Salar BM, College of Medicine Majmaah University 11952, Saudi Arabia.

MBBS, MD
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
Department of Pathology

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Published

2018-12-08